Brainerd, Baxter councils study spraying to control mosquitoes

The city councils of Brainerd and Baxter are reviewing a mosquito control study on the possible use of larvicide to combat mosquitoes this summer.

The extensive study, done by Professional Mosquito Control of Clearwater, found 650 acres of mosquito breeding areas within Brainerd and 300 acres in Baxter.

Larvicide attacks mosquito larva as it lays dormant in stagnant water areas. The mosquito control study evaluated nine different larvicides, each using a different technique to kill mosquito larva.

Brian Musech of Professional Mosquito Control said larvicide is safer than aerial spraying, and the study shows it would be a viable option to fighting mosquitoes in Brainerd and Baxter.

"We have one missing ingredient," he said. "We don't know the amount of rainfall we will receive this year."

The mosquito control study figured the total cost of the larvicide program would be $110,649, or $5.91 per resident. But with both Brainerd and Baxter annexing land, some council members worry about future cost and public concern.

"How much is this going to cost down the road?" council member Gary Scheeler asked. "We just annexed about seven square miles of wetland. How much will it cost to please everyone?"

The Brainerd City Council on Monday decided to put discussion about the use of a larvicide on hold until the next council meeting April 3.

Council member Mark O'Day said he would like comments from the public before the council makes any decision.

Brainerd has no regular mosquito control program in place, though last year Brainerd used aerial spraying for the Fourth of July festivities.